Chapter 26: Labyrinth Shop (2)

The term “Vanguard” refers to a group aiming to tackle and clear the main content of a game. 

In past lives, they were composed of players who invested resources like time and money intensively to progress rapidly in newly launched games or newly introduced content, aiming for high rankings.

Information about new items or content released by the Vanguard would provide guides for later players, effectively creating a foundation for them. 

They are crucial entities in the gaming world.

Before the Tower of the Labyrinth opened, the Central Continent, which possessed the most resources and efficient hunting grounds among the many continents of Rudera, was in a constant state of battle. 

This was a proxy war for the interests of real-world factions through the top-ranking players who quickly enhanced their specs within Rudera. 

Guilds like the Royal Knights of the Empire and the Revolutionary Warrior Guild of the Republic, who were raised by various factions within the continent to dominate the hegemony in Rudera, were the Vanguards of this world.

The role of the Vanguard was no different in the Tower of the Labyrinth. 

Guilds formed by top-ranking players, who had grown with national support, could make rapid advances. 

Although no guild had successfully conquered a layer of the labyrinth, they managed to hunt monsters and acquire items unique to the labyrinth. 

Many players attempted to conquer the labyrinth for ownership rights over the layers, but the monsters within were too powerful for ordinary players. 

Consequently, a significant number of players gave up their challenges, waiting for the Vanguard to release information about the Tower of the Labyrinth.

Thus, when the notification about the opening of the new content, the Labyrinth Shop, echoed among all players, only a few actually entered the shop. 

Even the regulars of the community, often called ‘gay’, awaited reviews from the Vanguard.

Ding.

– A post has been uploaded.

Title: Labyrinth Shop Consumable Review

A review left by a Vanguard player turned the community upside down.

Content: I was a player attacking the 4th floor of the Tower of the Labyrinth.

I can’t reveal too much detail due to upper management, but I was expelled after clearing the 4th floor.

Simultaneously with the expulsion, I saw a message about the Labyrinth Shop opening and clicked on it without thinking.

Inside, there was a huge warehouse so vast that the end couldn’t be seen.

I was speechless in awe when the shopkeeper handed me a catalog.

It contained items purchasable with coins obtainable in the labyrinth, but the good items were too expensive.

With the coins I had, I could only buy consumables.

I bought a few kinds out of curiosity, and there was a shocking item.

[Miracle Water] – You must buy and use this.

It said it cures debuffs, so I thought it was an item that cures status ailments like paralysis.

Hair that had fallen out started growing back.

Hair started growing back, important enough to mention twice. 

And more importantly, this works in reality as well.

One attention-seeking individual ignored the upper management’s community prohibition order and posted a review.

– My erectile dysfunction is cured!

– Young man, my bent back has straightened!

– Breaking news! Wrinkles on the skin have completely disappeared!

– Chronic illness has been completely cured!

And the follow-up reviews from users.

These cries of joy drove Rudera’s players, who had been waiting for the Vanguard’s strategies, into the labyrinth, ushering in the Great Labyrinth Era.

“Hair loss treatment…”

Reading through the flamboyantly burning community posts, Albus pondered. 

The Miracle Water was an item created for the 4th floor’s gimmick of the Tower of the Labyrinth. 

It was added to the Labyrinth Shop to help players deal with status ailments easily, similar to potions sold in basic shops.

“I never thought it would have such an effect.”

An item that removes the worst debuff the user thinks they have. 

Did users consider hair loss a debuff?

If hair falling out makes one look shabby compared to their prime, then technically, it is a debuff. But don’t people usually think of chronic illnesses? 

There is aging skin and weakened joints too. Was hair loss so unconsciously taken seriously? 

But how could hair grow back? 

And to think it even works in reality.

Albus scrolled through the community posts. 

People not interested in the labyrinth were now rushing in. 

Questions about how to obtain labyrinth coins. 

Queries if their level would allow them to climb the labyrinth. 

Posts looking for someone to sell them labyrinth coins. 

Players flocked to the Tower of the Labyrinth, which had become the preserve of a few top players.

Even hidden classes and items couldn’t move people, but hair loss treatment made them run to the Tower of the Labyrinth.

“Is this the power of hair loss treatment?”

Unconsciously, Albus touched his hair. “Will this work for me too…?”

Recently, his father’s forehead had noticeably widened. 

Even though baldness skips a generation, his father’s condition made his future look bleak. 

He had been pressing his scalp with his fingertips while washing his hair lately, thinking if the Miracle Water worked for him too…

Flash.

Albus logged back into Rudera.

‘Item Designation’

‘Item Creation’ 

Suddenly, a small bottle containing the Miracle Water appeared in his hand. 

Click.

Just as he was about to pour it over his head, Ding ‘Message?’ 

A private message popped up in front of Albus’s eyes. 

‘Father?’ 

His father, who hadn’t seen him off when he left for the academy. 

But who immediately sought the Tower’s mage to help develop Rudera upon his son’s request. 

His father, a Duke of the Empire who always maintained the dignity of a high-ranking noble. 

His father, who had never contacted him through letters, now urgently sent a message via Rudera. 

Was it so urgent? 

What could it be?

Albus nervously opened the message.

– Son. Could you send some of that water to me too? (A cute character emoji clasped its hands together in a plea.)

An emoji so out of character for his father, along with his request.

…………Father?

Somewhere within Rudera, the Labyrinth Shop was bustling with players.

“Player, please calm down…”

“Shut up! Just take my coins already!”

“Hurry, give me the water! I’m getting dizzy!”

“We’re sorry, but the item [Miracle Water] is currently out of stock…”

“What in the world!”

Despite its vast size and numerous NPC clerks, the Labyrinth Shop was overwhelmed by the influx of players. 

The shop’s functions were paralyzed, a consequence Albus hadn’t anticipated.

“The Labyrinth Shop…”

A middle-aged man adjusted his glasses, observing the players arguing with the clerks from a distance. 

He held the shop’s catalog in his hand.

“Excalibur, Gungnir, Longinus, Laevatein… all names I’ve never heard of, but just reading them, you can feel the immense power.”

As a Dragon Lord who had reached the level of a demigod, Iosif could tell the strength these weapons possessed just from their names.

“If someone gets these items, not only Rudera but the entire continent’s power balance will shift.”

Though equipment from Rudera couldn’t be taken into reality, weapons of this caliber would evolve the user just by holding them. 

The Labyrinth Shop was on a different level from anything  Rudera had seen before.

Players, even higher-tier ones, flocked to the Tower of the Labyrinth, something hidden classes and items couldn’t achieve. 

The miracle water’s effects in reality were so alluring that players who had no interest in the labyrinth were now running towards it.

“The power of hair loss treatment…”

Unconsciously, Albus touched his hair again.

If this works for me too…